Block.



No. 69l,558. Patented Jan. 2|, I902.

P. J. MACDONALD.

BLOCK. (Application filed Feb. 14, 1901.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES IN VE/VTOH flier J/(kcdonald m: mums Farms co, mum-urns" WASNINGTDN, n c.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

PETER J. MACDONALD, or NOANK, CONNECTICUT.

BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 691,558, dated January 21, 1902.

Application filed February 14, 1901. Serial No. 47,240. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER J. MACDONALD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Noank, in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and Improved Block, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This specification is a specific description of one form of the invention, while the'claims are definitions of the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the views.

Figure l is a sectional view of the block, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the same.

It is immaterial with what number of sheaves the block is fitted, since the principle of construction of the block will be the same. The shell of the double block is made up of two pairs of metallic plates h, between the members of each of which are the sheaves '5. These plates it have their end portions turned laterally to form flanges h, and between these flanges cheek-pieces is are arranged. Situated between the members of the pairs of plates h are spacers Z, which are essentially segmental in form, and these parts h and Z are held rigidly together by rivets m, passed transversely through the block and occupying the positions best shown in Fig. 2. The sheaves 2' are mounted on a pin 41., which is the same as the pin usually employed. If desired, the sheaves i may be patent or common sheaves, as desired.

Arranged between and at each side of the sheaves 'i are the straps 0 of the block, which straps slide freely in openings formed in the flanges h of the plates 71. These straps are therefore three in number, and they are joined 4 together at their lower ends to form a becket 0 to permit the attachment of the block to the traveler or to any other part to which the block is to be secured. The straps 0 are formed with longitudinal slots 0 which receive the pin n and which permit the relative movement of the straps and the shell of the block, the shell carrying with it the pin n and the sheaves i. The upper segmental spacersl are provided with rods 19, which are rigidly attached thereto or formed integral therewith,

as desired, and which project loosely through openings in a cross-plate q, rigidly attached to extensions 0 of the straps o. The rods 19 carry expansive spiral springs r, and these springs bear between the adjacent blocksl and the cross-plate q. The rods 10 project beyond the cross-plate q and are connected with a shackles, which spans between the rods and is joined thereto by a pin 8. I

The springs 1" may be of any material desired. In a block thus constructed the shell carrying with it the pin n and the sheaves 'i will be free to move on the straps o, according to the strength of the springs r, and when the strain on the block becomes greater than the strength of the springs the springs will give, thus permitting the sheaves and the shell of the block to move relatively to the straps. In actual construction this relative movement may be permitted in a radius of three to six inches, according to the size of the block.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A block, comprising a shell, a sheave mounted therein, straps formed with slots loosely receiving the pin of the sheave, the straps being slidably fitted in the shell, and a spring bearing between thestraps and the shell, for the purpose specified.

2. A block, havinga shell, a sheave mounted therein, straps having sliding connection with the sheave, a cross-plate extending between the straps, a rod in connection with the shell of the block, the rod sliding in the crossplate, and a spring bearing between the crossplate and the shell of the block.

3. A block, having a shell, a sheave mounted therein, straps movable relativelyto the shell and sheave and projecting past each end of the shell, and a spring acting between the straps and the shell, for the purpose specified.

, In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses PETER J. MACDONALD.

Witnesses:

WILFRED BROWN, W. A. FRAsER' 

